Prohibition on Commuter Line

br />

Once a while I used train aka commuter line during the weekend. To tell you the truth, getting on the train is another transportation torture. As both of them takes forever before finally arrived at the station or bus stop. Though of course, train takes shorter time compare with busway.

Busway Regulation

A few days ago, I just spotted this arrangement for busway passengers.

1. The ticket price is 2,000 Rupiah before 7 Am. And after that you will be charged 3,500 Rupiah.

2. Children with height over 100 cm will be charged the same price as adult

3. Passengers are not allowed to bring weapon (so please leave your knife, sword and samurai at home), food with smell that will bother other passengers and especially don’t even think to bring your pet

4. Passengers are not allowed to bring big item on board. The allowed size is not more than 50 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm

5. Smoking are not allowed on the bus stop for busway and especially and most definitely not allowed while on the busway.

6. Passengers are not allowed to eat and drink on busway. If you are really that hungry, do that before you are on board.

7. Passengers are not allowed to harass other passenger sexually.

8. Let older people, pregnant women and disable people to queuing first

9. Passengers must also keep the busway clean and not allowed to throw garbage.

10. Follow these rules and arrangement from officials in charge.

Watching People

I loves watching people when I was on public transportation. Simply because I have nothing better to do. Hmmm, perhaps I could try reading? But it's hard to open a book and read while standing with dozen of people on the bus. Sometimes I almost fall because other people push me accidentally. But, watching people is fun. And here are the think that I started to notice;

Photos Around The Bus

Again, I think picture can do more talking than I am so here goes

Aging Problem

As usual, Monday from the second week after Idul Fitri...all I can see the road full of cars and people. Everything back to normal again. Being early or the other way arounf for about 5-10 minutes really does matter when we have to take public transportation.

Anyway, there I was minding my own business, still a bit sleepy but the bus already close to my destination. So, I straight up a bit and try to open my eyes widely. Then I heard the official of TransJakarta talking with the driver. At first, I didn't really pay any attention to their conversation. They were talking about air conditioner.

Broke Down Busway

Nothing really special on Tuesday June 11, 2013.  Like any other day, I was fighting my way in so I can get a nice seat inside busway. Naturally, I thought good. I just sat there nicely and I would be at home within 45 minutes with traffic and so on. Right?

Handphone forbidden? Think Again!

Okay, I know I have spent so many times grumbling about how handphone should be forbidden on public transportation. It turn out I was totally wrong, dear readers.

Yesterday as usual, me and dozen other passenger trying to get into busway. But then, I have this feeling that there would be another empty busway behind. So, why I should even try to go inside this over load crowded busway? So, I started to be nicer, let other people rushing in to the already crowded busway. Then, a young mother and her son try to get pass me to go inside busway. I was a bit annoyed and tell her to watch out for her son and their steps. The officer in charge; seeing the busway already full decided to close the door. The young mom told the officer that her relative was already inside the busway. The officer didn't care and simply tell her to meet her relative at their destination.

ANd within minutes, the next empty busway approached and we all rushing inside try to get a nice seat. Then all passengers started their own things, like sleeping, daydreaming, eating whatever hidden in her bag and one agitated. Yeap, the young mom unable to sit still all the way. At the first bus stop, she stand up, her eyes darting from left to right, as if she wish to find someone inside. Then she back to her seat until reaching another bus stop, she did it again. Finally her acitivity attract the driver and other passengers.

And here are the conversations:

Queue Second part

Every day whenever I have to wait for busway to reach my destination, I always get agitated. Why? Most of the time, there are too many passengers inside the busway so I was unable to enter inside.

From far away, I could see that there are a bit of empty space near the driver. 1 -2 passengers should be able to stand there near the driver. So, the middle area would be emptier and other passengers will be able to enter. However, most passengers inside the busway prefer to stand in the middle area and therefore other people will not be able to enter.

While I was cramped inside the bus I thought why in the heck these passengers don’t want to enter to the other part of busway which actually a bit emptier.  And since I have all the time in the world I finally try to analyze the situation.

Women on the Bus

Women, God’s creation that need to be protected as they are not strong enough to face the world..

SAID WHO?

In reality, women are fearless and tougher than men, especially on rare occasion.

Don’t believe me?

Anyway, I wrote this post with no intention of being disrespect towards women since I am one myself. Just want to share that women on the bus can be nasty towards other passengers both men and women.

So, one day like any other day when I got cramped inside heavily packed busway. And though the busway already full with so many people, there was this pregnant lady managed to get inside. The officer in charge saw her condition and here I quoted their conversation:

Weekend Blues

Up to now I still have no idea why oh why streets in Jakarta always hit by heavy traffic jam every Friday or when there are long weekend due to National Public Holiday.

Like this weekend, most people have 4 days off including Saturday and Sunday due to celebration of Islamic New Year. Already around 3 PM street full with cars that only God know come from where on this planet. Eventually, people who have to use public transportation like bus must wait patiently. Well, in a perfect world the passenger will wait patiently. Then again, in a perfect world...we probably won't have any problem with public transportation.

Free Ride

Yesterday, I was about to go out with my friend and planning on using busway. However, from outside the bus stop I saw there were so many people there waiting for busway. Based on my experience whenever I saw crowded bus stop it can only means one thing. The busway takes forever to pass and take all those waiting passenger. So, I decided to use another public transportation to avoid waiting for a long time and didn't make it to see my friend. A few hours later I found out that there was this FREE RIDE ALL DAY WITH BUSWAY. Oh dear! No wonder there were so many people there waiting for busway. It's a good thing I follow my busway survival instinct and choose to use other public transportation. Otherwise, I would be in one of those bad moods.

Why on earth I wouldn't want to use busway while they gave free ride? Well, I can imagine on regular days when people have to pay the fare...they are all vicious (I won't lie, me included). I will shove, push, protect myself from other mad passenger driven by their needs to go home. So, when they have a chance to use public transportation for free that we can be sure they would be nastier than ever. There were so many people want to use the chance it created long queue all the way. Especially those who wish to go to amusement parks or to the zoo. Not to mention, the last two days were last days for holiday before children went back to school.

I was trying to remember whether any announcement for busway free ride on one day before? I didn't think so. I think people would at least be prepare for the worst if they have known. My sympathy for those who brought their little children to enjoy holiday. But I hardly think they would be able to enjoy the ride in the middle of so many people inside the bus. But then again, when you have good intention to have fun then everything will be considered okay.

I would say, if you saw many people queuing inside the bus stop then it is a sign for you to take another public transportation. But then again, it's all up to you as a passenger. Naturally, I would prefer to avoid the crowds and choose other transportation.

Bus Handle

Bus handle have their own story when we were on the busway.

First we are going to ask, what's the function? Well, it is a bus handle. Obviously it is for passenger to hold on to something in order for them to keep their balance. We all know bus drivers can hit the brake and speed up so sudden that we might fall if don't hang on to something.

However when there are overload passenger those bus handle can be a problem. There aren't enough bus handle for every passenger. And during that overload moment there is always one or two annoying passengers.

These passangers felt they will fall tumbling down if both of their hands don't grip two bus handle! They don't care if other people also will fall down if they have nothing to hang on to. Sometimes in my mind (when I was in a bad mood but then again I always having bad mood on the bus) I saw them exactly like monkey. Hanging around on the tree with both of their hands. Other passengers do almost the same to annoy others. At a glimpse, you think these passengers only grip on one bus handle with both of their hands. But after you look at it closely, that passengers grip on two bus handle! Don't ask me why on earth they did that. I suppose they tries to imagine that this is what happens when playing Flying Fox.

Holding bus handle too long will make your hands get cramp and at some point you just have to let it go. And other passengers will wildy grab it so they are not going to fall down.

Wish the bus handle covered with something soft :)

Crossing the street

Isn't it annoying to see people prefer to cross the street through busway lane rather than crossing bridge? It is a dangerous situation for them and other people. How many times we have read on newspapers about people got run over by busway?


But before we judging those people on why oh why they prefer to choose dangerous way rather than crossing the bridge which put danger on them and other people. Let's try to find out the reason behind why people prefer to use busway lane to cross the street.

It turn out...

A few days ago (on Indonesian holiday: 29th June 2011), I was inside a crowded busway.

Additional facility

Yesterday, I read on this mailing list about Trans Jakarta. A member of
that mailing list complained that there was this passenger told her kid to
just take a pee while on the busway. She found out about it and asked the
mother not to do so. The father then whispering to the mother, blamed her
why she could get caught by another passenger. Yikes

Tricky things to be passenger...

I have no idea whatsoever how drivers of many public transportation in Jakarta earn their income.

 I suppose they have to get a certain amount of money after taking passengers for a period of time during a day. Then they will have to give that money to the owner of those vehicles. If the money deposited to their boss enough with the quota then the rest will be for the driver. Surely if he has an assistant or more then he should share it with them. No wonder recently I noticed that most regular buses only have 1 assistant to collect bus fare from passengers.

It is an ironic that during peak hour we the passenger have to wait for a long time to get on the bus. Let alone to get an empty one. So, naturally there should be lots of vehicles to ensure all of us passengers able to get to our destination on time…and thankfully in comfort.

However, during not so peak hour those public transportations become very empty. Then it is not a surprise one or two or worse…more of the exact same public transportation will bump into each other. And naturally they will try to think of something how to avoid one another. And their ways are not so nice to the passenger.

First, they will be speeding like crazy… try to leave their competitors… We tends to take the first public transportation that we see rather than wait for uncertain time on the next public transportation. This is the exact moment when you feel that you are truly going to be arrived in your final destination.

Second , if the other vehicle manage to go ahead leaving its competitors then the loosers will drive their vehicles very slowly. It is so slowly it will increase blood pressure of all people who in a hurry to get to their destination.

Third, aside from slowing their vehicles others will wait for passengers before starting to move again. Obviously they were hoping that they are going to get more passengers by waiting for them.

Fourth, they will make a turn to go back on the previous route. Yeah, I have been there myself. One time I was inside this usual regular bus and I was soo happy thinking that the driver took a short cut to get to the destination. Then my dream finally vanished when the driver went back to the previous route. Not only he took a turn back but he also stop the bus and wait for more passengers.

Fifth, after all the torments given to us the passengers and they are still not satisfied then the last thing to do is to move us all to another public transportation aka their competitors. I have no idea about the arrangement but once both drivers decided then there is no way passenger will be able to say no. So, if in the previous bus we did have a good seat then there is no guarantee we will get the same thing when we have to move to another public transportation. Why passengers would not object this idea? Simply because we do not need to pay again so it is supposed to be a win – win situation or perhaps loose – loose situation.

What a tiring thing to be passenger

Ask for help

My mom said if we deal with a stingy person then we need to ask before that person finally give in (though not with sincere feeling). We have to at least said something since we are the one who need it. Don't hold back.

We need to do that when we use public transportation. We could not expect other people will understand though some cases does. Then again, this is a public place where we meet all kind of personalities.

So...

1. Pregnancy
Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know that women with this condition should not ask for help from other passengers. Other passengers should have compassion towards them. But it could be the passengers also feel tired or just don't want to know.
So for me...do not hesitate to ask for a favor from somebody's else. We should consider ourselves along with the child inside. What if the driver hit the brake suddenly and then you fall? Who are you going to blame? The driver? The passenger who sat nicely near the spot where you have to stand?

2. Sick
Pfff, once I honestly begged a guy who sat near the area where I have to standing all the way through the pms tortures. Thank you GOd he was willing to stand up and give me his seat.

3. Heated
I never understand why Indonesian people manage to breath inside a space with no air circulation. I noticed that rarely people asked from the sitting passengers to open the windows next to their seat. While the air inside the bus is intolerable due to the heat
Once, I asked a girl who sat near the window to open it now. While pouting she opened the window. Giving only few opened space. SUddenly a guy standing beside me took initiatives to open the window wider. It turn out he was also could not stand it anymore. Then again, he need someone else to pop the question first.

4. Sick part 2
If we are in good condition that getting touched by the wind is something that we do not mind. But when we are not feeling very well...that would be the last thing we need. Obviously we want to close the window tight. Sometimes I do wonder probably those people close the window because they are avoiding cold air from outside and care nothing about other people?
When we are the one who is sick then we have no choice but to ask for the window to be closed or at least not being opened too wide.


Help request that would probably be rejected totally point blank:

Request to ask for a seat to put their baggages.
If that was me, I would totally reject the request as are you crazy? If you bring too many baggages then it would be your problem don't give that to anybody else.

Soo, if you need then do not hesitate to ask for help except the last above request. Jakartan probably looks cruel but that because they are tired already. Most of them would not have the heart to refuse help request from other people... But we always knows when someone try to take advantage from our kindness. As soon as those pretenders ask for seat they suddenly become so healthy after faking to be ill...

Just have faith.

Unwritten laws

Before I start storytelling I just want to let you know that all the pictures that I have taken and uploading here are not representing areas that I describe here in this posting :) Just so we clear ^__^

Remembering the street singer talked about manner between singing on the bus it remind me few unwritten laws between drivers of motorcycle taxi and mikrolet who both waiting for passengers...

Everybody well aware that Mikrolet's fare are a lot cheaper than motorcycle taxi. Since mikrolet's route as not as unhampered as motorcycle taxi that could go anywhere on demands... Naturally within fare agreed by both of the driver and passenger.

For short routes people prefer to use Mikrolet rather than motorcycle taxi...especially if there is a mikrolet devotedly standing by forever to find passengers. Therefore to avoid any nasty social jealousy between drivers of mikrolet and motorcycle taxi...seems they have agreed on this unwriten law (well...of course it was unwritten... Should it be a national law or something to be written?) This if from an observation that I notice from area near my home. Where usually drivers both of motorcycle taxis and mikrolets standing by at the exact same area. Sort of like their home base.

 Starting from 09.00 PM any mikrolet must be vanished from the face of the earth and do not even think to pick up a passenger even if the passenger have already histerically calling out for the mikrolet. Overkill... But that was happening whenever I arrived at that particular area past 9.00 PM and all those mikrolet's drivers seems have gone deaf and refuse us the passengers. I have no other choice but to use motorcycle taxi. One of the drivers told me about their unwritten law. That starting from 09.00 PM they will get their turn to look for passengers. I nodded start to understand. Then obviously starting from that time I tried so hard avoiding to be there around 09.00 PM. Which is kinda hard whenever I have to do over time in the office.

While in another area near my home, mikrolet's driver who look for passengers CAN NOT park their vehicle near the home base of motorcycle taxi drivers. In the beginning I was confuse to see that all mikrolet's driver seems pretending not to hear me calling them. What's wrong? Does they have different unwritten law here? But it is not 09.00 Pm yet! Then when I was in the middle of my walk, an empty mikrolet stop and offer me to get in. After I get in I started to asked the driver about why no mikrolet stop when I called them in that area? Then the driver explained to me that once all motorcycle taxi's driver almost gang up on a mikrolet's driver only because that driver took a passenger near their area (place where motorcycle taxi's driver all use as their home base while waiting for passengers). So on this one I am not so sure whether there has been an agreement or anything like that. Obviously that accident enough to make mikrolet's driver avoiding that area while picking up passengers. Unless they wish to be beaten by an overwhelming numbers of angry motorcycle taxi's drivers.

Yeah, life is a definately hard so there has to be some kind of allocation in earning money...

Story about motorcycle taxi

OJEK or motorcycle taxi (got this from daily newspaper: JAKARTA POST)

I have no idea when Ojek started to operate here in Jakarta or in any other part of Indonesia for that matter. I started to realize about this (illegal) public transportation when I just started to work. (Oh dear…wondering what I have been doing all that time before finally have a job to do)

During my job, I made friend with someone from other company. And one day she asked me to go to the movie with her. She said to go there it would be best if we use ojek. And I were like hesitating and it must have shown in my voice. She then asked what’s wrong.

“To be honest, “ I replied over the phone. “I have never use Ojek before…”
“WHAT?” she burst out laughing… “You kidding, right?”
I sighed.
“No, I am not… I have never been in a bicycle before (to this she then…again…laughed out loud) and therefore I am kinda scared using Ojek…”
“For heaven sakes… You are Jakartan! You live here all your life… You have to try it,” she replied. “Nothing can go wrong… Just pretend you are with someone that you know…”

Of course eventually I gave in and went to the movie with her using Ojek for the first time. I always use pants so I just sat on the motorcycle facing up front. Those women passengers who are used with Ojek sometimes just sat facing the left side. I still not dare to do that very often as once I did try and almost fall from the motorcycle.

I still remember the sensation of my first time on the motorcycle. It was fun, feeling the air (and sadly the dust) swept on my face… To know that we were going to arrive there earlier than everybody’s else because they were still stuck in the traffic jam. So, yeah… I enjoyed my first time using Ojek.

Then Jakarta was hit by riots and my public transportation such as buses were unable to take passengers home due to roadblocks or worst. The angry mob often just burns those buses though nobody was inside. The other way to go home was to use Ojek. Naturally, the give us outrageously expensive fare but seriously…at that time nobody care. All we could think of to get home as soon as possible. Who would want to stand like an idiot on the street when there were so many looters, angry people thirsty to kill anyone that they stumble upon? Or walk miles and miles away as no public transportation available at that time.

Ojek however, will refuse passengers that wish to go to the flooded area. Or during heavy rain pouring down the earth. The driver prefer to take cover under the bridge and yes it will cause another traffic jam.

The fare however is a bit tricky. Perhaps you should ask around before deciding to use Ojek. Like for example to go from here to there the common fare usually around USD 1. But when you asked them, they will just say USD 2. If you do not bargain, then it will be your lose. Or, if they give you a number then just bargain with half of the price. If he seems grumbling but take the offer then yeah…that is the suitable fare. If the driver seems pissed then you may try to ask another driver…

Most of these Ojek’s driver hang around together for passengers near bus stop. If you are wondering where the heck is the bus stop; usually located near or under the crossing bridge. You would find so many ojek there. Ever since the economic turmoil in the year 1998 many people use their motorcycle to be Ojek. The number is increasing so it is a tough life for them.

I once have a chit chat with Ojek’s driver while he took me to my destination. He said that there are so many people becoming ojek’s driver. His income started to decrease and he was a bit frustrated by this. I said, whether he consider himself to take another job? He said he did. He was offered to work in this cruise ship to be cleaner. However, his wife refuse to let him go as she worried her husband would fall in love with someone else. He then laughed and said he would do it anyway because he has no idea how long he could keep this up on supporting a family with so little income.

Ojek’s driver like any other human being can be aggressive and rude. On the other hand they could act fatherly especially towards younger women. It depends on the person how they behave to their passengers. If they are nice naturally passengers will remember them and looking forward to use their service again. And if they are not, all passengers will no doubt remember them to not use their service again in the future.

So, do not wish to get stuck at traffic jam? Use Ojek!

Handphone on the bus

Sometimes I think handphone should also be forbidden on the bus... A warning not to use handphone on the plane due to the signal will disturb navigate system on the plane. Even with that horrific fact still there are passengers who just simply not care

Then why the use of handphone on the bus must be forbidden?

1. Well, for your own safety
Aren't you forgetting that there are many pickpocket on the bus? What's the point of parading your new gadget on the bus? Oh, well come on... There is no way I am going to be mugged. I am sure I will remember where do I keep it. And surely I will remember to be careful not to let anyone grabbing my bag... YOU SURE ABOUT THAT?

2. Noisy
Totally true... NOISY... You are fall into a sleep while you are sitting there on the bus, then suddenly there is this thundering voice beside you
YEEESSSSS! GOOD MORNING SIR! (silence while listening)
NOT YET! I AM STILL ON THE BUS (another silence while he listen to someone on the other line)
HUAHAHAHAHAH.... YOU JUST KNOW IT, SIR...(listening seriously)
ALRIGHT SIR... IF IT'S OKAY I COULD EXPLAIN IT TO YOU RIGHT NOW...

While the people on the right and left beside him glancing in fury and if only they could scream, "OH NOOOOO.... Why can't you speak when you have met the person?

3. Fall
Yes, you could fall while in the middle of message texting. Message texting with one hand is kinda tricky... Then without realizing it, the other hand that you used to hold on to something...finally reaching the gadget... And just after you releasing the holding part...you hear the screeching sound from the driver hit the brake. And by the sound of the brake your body is flying to don't know where along with your gadget flying beautifully. Until it landed somewhere and got kicked by other passenger...and its gone. Or even if you manage to find it, it has been damaged.
And in that teary moment, there will be always someone saying to you, " THat is why you do not play with your gadget all the time..."

4. Destination forgotten
I was reading my book when i heard a scream from a lady. It turn out that she was busy chatting over her cellphone and forgot to get off from the busway when it has arrived to one of those bus stops. And like always, rather than get to be blamed by others...better blaming other in the first place.
"Hei! Stop! That was my stop, " the lady screamed
"Sorry Ma'am, no can do... I have informed that we have arrived at the previous bus stop. But you did not respond to me, " the official replied with patience.
"But I was on the phone!"

Hhhmmm, I was thinking... What was that suppose to mean? So the busway and all of us here have to wait on that bus stop until she finished with her phone?

And while she was ranting, the busway kept on moving. Unfortunately (for her) the next bus stop is miles away than the previous stop.

"Let me get off here!" she screamed again angrily.

The official in charge sighed, "We can't do that, Ma'am. You have to get off at the bus stop for busway... We are not allowed to just let the passengers out in random places... It's dangerous..."

Finally she gave up and since she was still not satisfied she ranted again. She was back on the phone with don't know who and ranted about how nobody informed that she supposed to be getting off, blah, blah, blah

5. Dangerous
Nowadays there is a huge fine to drivers if they were caught busy chatting on the phone while driving whereas they should be concentrate on driving. So I beginning to think, is the same rule also applying to bus drivers? I have witnessed that several of them loves chatting on the phone while driving the bus. And to think that there are so many lives at stakes in their hands. What if there is a car crash due to loose ability to focus while driving?

Now you see why the use of handphone should be forbidden on the bus? (yeah right, as if I could stand not playing with my gadget on the bus)